Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain took over as the Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command (ENC) from Vice Admiral Bimal Verma yesterday.
An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa and Pune-based National Defence Academy and other defence institutes, Jain has held various operational, staff and command appointments, a ENC release said today.
Jain was commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1982. Post specialisation in Gunnery and Missile Warfare, he held appointments as Gunnery Officer of missile destroyers, IN Ships Ranvijay and Ranvir, it said.
His noteworthy afloat appointments include command of missile corvettes Nirghat, Khukri, missile destroyer INS Rajput and indigenously built stealth destroyer INS Mysore.
The flag-officer was also the commissioning Executive Officer of INS Brahmaputra and the Fleet Operations Officer of the Eastern Fleet here, the release added.
Amongst ashore appointments, Jain has been the Director Naval Intelligence (Protocol), Director Foreign Liaison and Principal Director Staff Requirement at Integrated Headquarters.
A recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2015, he was appointed as the first Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area, Karwar.
Thereafter, Jain took over command of the prestigious Eastern Fleet and also served as Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command.
On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, he was holding the appointment of the Controller Personnel Services at Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy) prior to taking over as the Chief of Staff, ENC.
Meanwhile, Verma has proceeded on transfer as the Commander-in-Chief, Andaman & Nicobar Command at Port Blair.
